Black or ''Tsaoko'' cardamom (Amomum tsao-ko) is cultivated in Yunnan (China) and Northern Vietnam both for medicinal purposes and as a spice. It is native to the Eastern Himalayas; the main production regions are Nepal and Sikkim, a tiny Indian union state located between Nepal and Bhutan.

It is very helpful in the digestion of meat.

In India, black cardamom has its special field of application, and although green and black cardamoms are frequently interchangeable, the black variety is felt superior for spicy and rustic dishes, while green cardamom is much preferred by the Imperial (Mughal) cuisine with its subtle blend of sweet fragrances.

Black cardamom can be used in rather liberal amounts, up to a few capsules per person. The smoky fragrance of the pure spice is not discernible in the finished dish; black cardamom cannot dominate a dish, but enhances and intensifies the taste of other ingredients.

In the mountains of Sichuan province in central China, black cardamom is commonly employed in long-simmered meet stews together with other dried spices.

The various types of Cardamom are a popular spice worldwide.

In Europe, it is used in Dutch windmill biscuits and Scandinavian-style cakes and pastries, and in the liqueur akvavit. Other uses are: in pickles, especially pickled herring; in punches and mulled wines; occasionally with meat, poultry and shellfish.

It flavours custards, and some Russian liqueurs.

In India, it features in curries, is essential in pilaus (rice dishes) and gives character to pulse dishes. Cardamom is often included in Indian sweet dishes and drinks.

Cardamom is also chewed like nuts, as a breath and tooth cleaner.

It is a flavouring for Arab and Turkish coffee.

Chinese use powdered cardamom sprinkled on cooked cereal to correct gluten intolerance in children.

The 1997 Commission E on Phytotherapy and Herbal Substances of the German Federal Institute for Drugs recommends Cardamom for 'Dyspepsia. Average daily dosage: 1.5 g of drug; equivalent preparations. Tincture (according to Erg. B. 6): Daily dosage: 1 - 2 g. Mode of Administration: Ground seeds, as well as galenical preparations thereof for internal use. Actions: Cholagogue; Virustatic.'

Grieve's classic 'A Modern Herbal': 'The seeds are helpful in indigestion and flatulence, giving a grateful but not fiery warmth. When chewed singly in the mouth the flavour is not unpleasant, and they are said to be good for colic and disorders of the head. In flavouring they are combined with oils of Orange, Cinnamon, Cloves, and Caraway.'

King's 1898 Dispensatory: 'Cardamom seeds are very warm, grateful, pungent and aromatic, and form an agreeable addition to bitter infusions, and other medicinal compounds. They are chiefly employed as a carminative in flatulency, and to flavor syrups, tinctures, etc. Dose of the powder, from 10 grains to 2 drachms; infusion (bruised seeds, j to boiling water, Oss), a wineglassful. As the powder rapidly loses its aromatic property, the seeds should be pulverized from time to time, as they are required for present employment.'

Eclectic Materia Medica, 1922 (Felter): 'Carminative. All preparations are useful in flatulent colic, and to flavor tinctures, syrups, and other medicines, particularly alkaline mixtures, the compound tincture imparting to these an agreeable taste and color.'

British Pharmaceutical Codex, 1911: 'Powdered cardamom seeds, on account of their carminative properties, are administered with purgatives, as in Extractum Colocynthidis Compositum, and with other aromatics, as in Pulvis Cinnamomi Compositus, and Pulvis Cretae Aromaticus. Tinctura Cardamomi Composita is the most commonly used cordial and flavouring agent. Combined with cinnamon, cloves, caraway, and ginger, cardamom seeds are also contained in Tinctura Carminativa, a more aromatic preparation than the compound tincture of cardamoms.'

This is Plum Flower brand's nitrogen-flushed vacuum pack.

Plum Flower is one of the most distinguished herb houses in the world.

Sulfur Free, Chlorine Free, Aluminum Phosphate Free.

Sulfites are used to give herbs the appearance of freshness. As with dried fruit, unsulfured herbs look different than those that are adulterated with preservatives. Herbs that are preservative free are more natural looking and are generally darker. The brightness of the herbs may be appealing, but it indicates the presence of harmful additives. Despite their appearance, unsulfured herbs are more fresh and safer than regular commercially available products.

The use of sulfur, chlorine and aluminum phosphate was made unnecessary through the establishment of Plum Flower processing stations in China. Herb harvesters slice and process the herbs fresh, avoiding the need to rehydrate dried herbs later to process. This first step is crucial, as rehydration leads to decomposition and thus the need for preservatives.

The herbs are then packed and the packages vacuum-packed, injected with nitrogen, and sealed. The nitrogen process combined with the lack of sulfur treatment inhibits the growth of anaerobic organisms, resulting in safer, higher quality herbs. After opening, store in a cool dry place.

The facilities in Lanzhou and Guang Zhou, China, scientifically test each batch of herbs before, during and after the processing to make sure that all the active ingredients are present. Herbs are also tested to ensure that the formulas surpass all FDA guidelines regarding heavy metals. Those herbs exported to the U.S. are voluntarily submitted to the FDA for approval.

Finally, batches are regularly sent out for quality control testing in third-party labs to double-ensure that Plum Flower products are 100% free of pharmaceuticals, preservatives and dyes.

The Lanzhou and Guang Zhou factories are so clean, they are certified by the Australian Government’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (GMP). These standards surpass any of the FDA, and are considered the highest for any government agency in the world.